The water that disappears down the kitchen drain at Hotel La Rose in Santa Rosa plays a part in generating electricity for the northern California city. The Geysers Recharge Project pumps recycled water to a geothermal power plant in the Mayacamas Mountains where it is used to replenish the steam field. (Photos by David Kidd)

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A City with Water-Powered Electricity

In Santa Rosa, Calif., the electricity powering a lamp may very well come from recycled wastewater.